Delta Governor Oborevwori Endorses Tax Ombud Office, Unveils Fiscal Overhaul Plans
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has publicly endorsed the newly established Tax Ombud Office, pledging full alignment with federal tax reforms amidst increasing scrutiny over their potential effects on businesses and individual taxpayers. The governor's strong backing was announced during a crucial meeting with the pioneer Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer, John Nwabueze, held at the Government House in Asaba.
Critical Role in Transparency and Dispute Resolution
Governor Oborevwori described the Tax Ombud Office as absolutely critical for promoting governmental transparency, efficiently resolving tax-related disputes, and safeguarding citizens from arbitrary fiscal practices. This office was created under sweeping national reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu in 2025, aimed at overhauling Nigeria's entire tax administration system and restoring public confidence in government revenue collection processes.
While the initiative has received widespread praise within policy circles, significant concerns persist regarding implementation gaps and the readiness of individual states to harmonize with the new federal framework. However, Governor Oborevwori asserted that Delta State is already proactively moving to integrate with these federal reforms.
Plans to Repeal and Replace State Revenue Law
The governor revealed concrete plans to repeal the existing Delta State Internal Revenue Service Law of 2020. It will be replaced with a new, harmonized taxes and levies law by 2026. According to Oborevwori, this comprehensive overhaul is specifically intended to:
- Eliminate multiple taxation that burdens businesses and individuals.
- Dramatically improve the ease of doing business across the state.
- Significantly boost internally generated revenue through more efficient and fair systems.
Governor Oborevwori maintained that fairness and equity will be central pillars of these reforms. He insisted that his administration is committed to striking a careful balance between necessary revenue generation and the welfare of Delta State citizens. To demonstrate immediate support, the governor pledged full logistical assistance for the Tax Ombud Office, including the provision of dedicated office accommodation within the state.
Niger Delta Chamber Calls for Strategic Economic Shift
In a related development, the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has issued a strong call for a fundamental strategic shift in the region's development approach. The chamber warned that persistent reliance on politically driven narratives has consistently failed to deliver meaningful and sustainable economic progress for the oil-rich region.
Chairman of the Board, Idare Gogo Ogan, stated that for decades, discussions about the Niger Delta have been trapped in "politically familiar but economically insufficient" terms. These include endless debates on derivation formulas, militancy, ecological damage, and amnesty programs, which have produced little tangible impact on fostering sustainable growth and development.
Ogan emphasized that mere agitation and restiveness can no longer guarantee positive development outcomes. He urgently called on all stakeholders to adopt deliberate, intellectually driven strategies that effectively harness the region's vast human capital and immense natural endowments.
Harnessing Economic Potential for Measurable Growth
Ogan delivered these remarks at the Niger Delta Business Roundtable organized by the chamber, themed "Creating a New Development Agenda for the Niger Delta Region." He declared, "This time, we must deploy intellect, collaboration and clear economic thinking. The legacy we owe our children will come from deliberate and measurable actions, not from rhetoric."
He highlighted that the nine states comprising the Niger Delta region account for approximately one-fifth of Nigeria's entire economy. This makes the region critically important to the nation's external earnings, gas reserves, maritime access, and overall environmental sustainability. However, Ogan lamented that these enormous endowments have not translated into corresponding productivity, value chain depth, or sustained investor confidence.
According to the chamber chairman, the core challenge is not a lack of opportunities, but rather the poor conversion of those opportunities into bankable, financeable projects that can drive real economic transformation and improve the livelihoods of the region's people.
